Hydraulically operated garage door



Sept. 21, 1943.

-w. ODENTHAL 2,330,006

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED GARAGE DOOR Filed July '7, 1941' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a mum/vaaavrem,

INVENTOR.

Sept. 21, 1943. w ODE THAL f 2,330,006

' HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED GARAGE DOOR Filed July 7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 21, 1943. w QDENTH-AL 2,330,006

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED GARAGE DOOR Filed July 7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 -Il I I 0 (90 I 66 1 J Patented Sept. 21, 1943 zsaotos:

-Williain Odenthal, Los Angeles Calif."

The present invention relates to improvements in devices for operating closure members; particularly garage doors and thelike. j

One of the principal objects of'this invention is to provide improved electrically controlled hydraulically actuatable mechanism for opening and closing garage doors, jsaidme'cha'nism eme bodying reservoirs for balancing the hydrostatic pressure required foroperating the closure meme bers in difierent directions ton, actuated by hydraulic pressureto movein is reciprocated in a smoother;

opposite directions, equalized manner, able, positive, and

also, to provide more dependdurable means forjoperatively when'arpredet'ermined operating power for that particular direction has connecting such piston with the parts'to be'actu ated thereby. A 'moreispecific object of the invention is'flto provide superior means for bypassing "a portion of the liquid and forofisetting the obstructing action of atmospheric pressure, whereby all vacuum and back'pressureis eliminated, andthe piston is caused tooperatein anunimpeded, more satisfactory manner.

Yet a further specific'object is to provide ima proved'mea'ns for settingthe electrical actuating means i'n'a position foroperating the hydraulic operable ,means; and for providing improved means to produce predetermined periods of dwell, both for maintainingelectrical actuationof parts in one direction and for placing such parts] in position for re-actuation in the'opiposite'direc-' With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in M I i I and, combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in theprecise embodiment of the invention -,he reinafter described maybe made within the scope. of that which iscl'aimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. T

' Referring to the drawings,

I wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention as now reduced to practice; approved and being accepted in the trade,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device asapplied to a closed garage door, the garage structure being shown in longitudinal mid-section and parts of the device being-broken away in order to contract the view. i

the novel arrangement 941, Serial No. 401,341

or" the. structure.

1 and 2min: side means of metal straps '4;

' Ii]. Each of said members 7 Fig.32 is a view simi lar"to Fig.- 1 except-that the-garage door is shown in the open position.

Fig.8 is anenlarged plan view'of the-devicewith adjacent portions ofthe garage Structure shown in section. In saidview portions are broken away to contract-the view and to d-is;

.close'interior construction.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3. 7' 3 'Fig. 5" is a fragmentary elevation on an ii creased scale viewed iromthe line 5%? of-Flg. 3. Fig. 6 is a section. taken on'line 6--'6 oi Fig. 5.- Fig. 7 is a section on an enlar'ged scale taken on line 1- 1 of1Fig.3.. Fig. Sis a wiring diagram. f Fig. 9 isap'lan view ot a portion of the mechanism .shownin Fig." 3 on ;a' somewhat larger scale, I additional concealed parts being indicated bydottedlines. "f'j Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken 'o'n' line Iii- H! of'Fig. 9with some parts in side el- Fig. 13,. parts being cut away to avoid concealing ,a' portion ofa their ."R'ererr'mg in detail to the dra ings} in F g; elevatiomjandin'Fig. dinplan, is shown a platform. I supported in a subja" t relation toflthe ceiling .joi'st. Z'jojf aigarage s'byf Suitably connected to the irontfpla te irail fi' oifthegarage and a'similar plate raillnot shown infthe'rear of the garage, is a supporting meme berB which is V-shaped incross section with the vertex of the V directed upwardly as shown in lifigs 4'and'6 tofprovide' a ,trackwaywhich is subjacent the'joistsf! but is vertically spaced above the platform i. Su'spendingly mountedjin jr crotch'portion' of said V-trackway} by means capscrews I (see Fig. 4) are the triangular heads;

8 of the cylindrical carrying members 9,1two or which: are shown to support the piston cylinder N 9 comprise'sfafring, I i, through which the cylinder. it] extends. and-a shank l2 uniting said ring l l and head,

the direction in which the fluid is now versing of the motor is brought about by the re versingswitch 39, whichis shown out in on the starting winding circuit in Fig. 8.

In Figs. and l1 the full line arrows indicate operating,

i. e. in a direction to close thejdoor. Therefore we may consider, while the fluid is operating in this direction, that the lower side of the pump 66 is the high pressure side and fluid is flowing from chamber '55. Conversely, when the pump is operatingin a direction in which the dotted arrows point,-the top side of the pump may be considered thev high pressure side and that fluid is being supplied from reservoir 55.

Preparatory to, lacing the device in operation, the elongated cylinder Ill, pipe lines 49 and 52, thepassages 50,53, 63, B4, 65 and 61 of the reservoir 5i, and the pump circulating space 56a are all filled with a circulating oil. There is also enough oil placed in the chambers 55 and 56 to operate one of the float valves to seat it, but not enough oil to at any one time simultaneously closevalves 51 and ,58.

Whenit isdesired to move the door 24 from the open positionshown in Fig. 2 to the closed position shown in Fig. l, the momentary contact switch 68 is manually closed (normally clo-sedlimit switch 44 now being shownin the open position in Fig.2, see also Fig. 13), whereupon the motor starts operating. As soon as electrical. momentary switch contact is established, solenoid operated valve 54 is, simultaneously actuated, moving the valve 54a from dotted line to full line position, thereby permitting flow of liquid from the chamber 56 in reservoir 5| in the/direction of the full line arrows first into vertical passage 64, then into horizontal passage 53', transverse passage 61, whence, it is passed through pump. passage 66a, transverse. passage 65 and through passage and pipe line 49 into the cylinder against the head of the piston. The liquid is caused to flow in this manner because of the pump Behaving been put into rotation in the clockwise direction indicated.

The liquid pressure exerted on the head of the piston l5, opposite the piston rod side, causes it to move in a direction to close the door, the fluid in the cylinder 10 on the piston rodside flowing into passage 53 and being entrained into the intake passage 61' and out through the high pressure side discharge conduit 65 0f the pump in the direction of the full line arrows.

As the hydrostatic pressure builds, up on the head of the piston an equal pressure is simultaneously built .up in chamber until they are equalized, it being understood that, as soon as this cycle of operation is initiated, valve 5l is immediately closedl However, the liquid T M is insufiicient to needed for the liquid being discharged through supply the full capacity being entrained into T Ma en accountof the inequality of liquid due to,

piston rod displacement on the piston rod side of the cylinder. for this insufiiciency of liquid, chamber 55 is called uponto supply the extra need. Inorder that in supplying. this extra liquid no. vacuum Hence, in order to compensate be established -in charnber 5,6, the.;. chamber is p ov ded. .it a e t w e b a y u h-ex r load; on the motor1is eliminated. p The momentary switch 48 ismaintained closed until the part'4 3 has cleared and released the roller 44 after which period of dwellelectrical circuit is a ain established throughthe normally Immediately after. this closed limit switch All. has occurred pin 4i trips the reversing switch lever 42' to reverse the starting winding circuit (which'is now open due to the fact that the motor hasattained full speed) and place the motor inreadiness to operate in a reverse direction the next timethe momentary contact switch is-again actuated.

It is to be understood from the wiring diagram, manually closing switch 48 causes the motor to initially operate simultaneously on both the starting and runnin winding until it has. once attained a speed of 1200 R. P. lVL, when the centriiugal switch with which the motor is provided automatically cuts out the starting; winding circuitand permitsthe motorftdoperate on the running winding only. v f f i 1 As a safety feature in, case an obstruction should get'in the pathof the moving door, pressure regulators Stand 69 are set at aifraction above normal working pressure so that thejliquid will be bypassed in an auxiliary cycle through the pump. In case such obstructionwould oc cur in the, movement 'just described the liquid wo" ldpass through the pump out through pas sage into passage '50 depressing regulator 68 whereupon it would by-pass into vertical passage ii lpfrom'passage 84 into passage 53. and

again into the pump. When the door is moving Q in the opposite direction and'becomes obstructed in its further movement, a reverse cycle of the liquid takes place with pressure regulator 69 per,- mitting the by-passing of the liquid from passage 53 into passage 63 in a manner'which will be obvious from the operation just described. A As the door continues its closing movement the protruding end portion of the piston rod is supported by the bracket 25. Upon nearing the end of the closing movement, auxiliary pin Ma will pass over lever 42 of the reversing switch, and finally partAB will over-ride the roller 44 depressing spring dila and opening the circuit thereby bringing all moving parts to a stop. As soonas the motor stops, solenoid valve 54 is de actuated and serves as a lock for the door until the momentary switch is again closed andthe electrification of the solenoid re-opens it;

It will be observed the part 4,3is, mounted (see Fig. 5) on the carriage bar 38 and is constructed of suificient length to compensate for movementof the carriagebar due to inertia after the wheel 44 is first depressed.

When it is desired to open the door; the momentary contact switch 43' is again manually closed for a moment whereupon the motor starts operating. As soon'as electrical, contact is established, solenoid operated valve 54 is sir nultaneously actuated, moving the valve member 5-lafrom dotted tofull line position, thereby permitting flcw of liquid from the chamber555 in reservoir 5! in the direction of the dotted line arrows, first into vertical passage '63, then into horizontal passage 55, transverse passage 65,

whence it'passes through the pump passage 66a, transverse passage 61 andthrough'passagei 53 and pipe line 52 into the piston cylinder against the piston rodside of; the piston The liquid'is caused: toflowin this manner because of the adjustably I pump cc having been putintocounterclockwise i otationg-ih the'clett'edarrow direction-indicated; It will be obvious from what has already been said, that this reverse movement ofthe piston will operate te open the deer; thus restoring the paa ts'tc their-original p'osition.

However; if-arr obstruction of'the door should occur, the pressure regulatingwal've 69'; shown in Fig. 10 upon the pressure for whiclrit is set being-exceeded, will open and the Iiquid=wil1- be bypassed ina cycle through thepump in a direc ti'on opposite-to that already described.

Biting t the flexibility of the pressure regulators 6E and SEI the-ymay be set fromno power up to 200 pounds, all depending uponthe size or door to be operated. 'I-hus it will be seen all reduction gearing is=-eli'minated there are lie-gears to strip; no parts-to wear out, no accurate manhihe work to be done;. andnoextraneous valves to operate.

Whatisclaimed is? 1*. In a door operating mechanism of" the-kind described, a dual reservoirstructure comprising juxtaposed chambers to contain liquid, a casting underlying said' chambers, there being a vertical passage leadingdownwardlyinto said castingfrom each ofsaid chambers, a lower passage le'aiiing fronr said-1 casting and communicating with: the lower ends of each ofthe first recited passages/an intermediate passage leading from said casting and intersecting both-of the first recited passages, an elongated piston chamber, one'end' portion of which. is in communication with oneof saidpassages that leads from said casting, the opposite-end of said piston chamber communicating with the other of the passages which lead from said casting, a piston having'a head reciprocating in said" piston chamber,v door operating means connected with said piston, a rotary eversely operable pump communicating at one side" with said intermediate passage and at itsopposi'te side with said" lower passage, pressure relief] valves mounted in an operative relatioirto the passages ofsaid casting, each of said valves opening at a predeterminedliquid pressure to allow an idle recirculation of the liquid through the pump when the liquid pressure exceeds the predetermined amount, one of said relief'valves cont-rolling communication between said intermediate passage and one. vertical passage, while the other valve controls communication between the lower passage and the other vertical passage, each of the aforesaid juxtaposed chambers having, an atmospheric ventin' its upper portion, anda float valve within each chamber to close said vent: when the liquid in the chamber rises above, a predetermined level.

2. In a. door operating mechanism of the kind described a dual reservoir structure comprising. juxtaposed chambers to contain liquid, a casting underlying said. chambers, there beinga vertical passage leading downwardly intosaid' casting from eachof said chambers, a lower passage leadingv from said casting and communicating with'the lower ends of. each of the first recited passages, arn intermediate passage. leading from said casting and intersecting both of the first recitedpassages, an: elongated. piston chamber, onerend. portion of which is in communication, With'QlIe of said; passagesthat leads fromsaid casting; thaopposite: end: of piston chamber communicating with the. other: of. the, passages; which lead from said casting; 'a pistonhaving a-heath'cciprocatingin-said pistcn chamher, door operating means connected with said piston, a rotary reversals operable communicating at one side with saidintermediate passage and at its opposite sidewith said lowerpassage; pressin-e relief values mounted in an operativerelation to= the pa-ssages ofi' sand casting, each of said valves opening at apredetermined liquid pressure to allow amidl'e recirculation of the liquid through the pump'when the liquid pressure exceeds the predetermined? amounhone of said relief valves f controllingcommunication between sai'd' interm'ediate passage and one vertical passage; while the other valve controls communi'cation between the lower passage and the othen vertical passage, each of said chambers having athreaded openlngin the. top wall thereof; a= 'filling--cup screwed into each: said opening, there a-plurality of semicircular notches forrired iirthe top edge or eachcup, avalve scat screwed into each said cup, a normally open float valve in each of saitl chambers constructed and arrangedtoattimes: occupy a position on each said-seat when the liquid in the chamber reaches a predetermined: level, and aloosely fitting cap-overlying the' mouth of each cup;

3; Ina'door operating mechanism oh the kind described; a piston cylinder, a piston: having a head! reclp'rocatingwithln said cylinder, said ciste n-having also a rorl' 'c'onnected with alinkage whereby a door is operated; circulatory condult means arrangedto conduct liquid intoand from opposite end portionsa of said cylinder to reciprocate: said piston, said conduit means:in eluding a dual reservoir-structure comprising juxtaposedchambers to i contain. liquid; a .casting underlying saidchamb'ers therebeingaver ti'cal passage leading downwardly into said casting fromeach-oi said chambers an'cli intersect.- ing with an independentrexit passage which leads from cpposite sides ofsai'd; casting, one of said exit passages-being in communication with one' end of said cylinder and the other exit pas sage being in communication with; the other end portion: of: said cylinder, 1a rotary reversely operable pump having an intakeiand; discharge passage in". communication. with' said exit passages, by-pas passages in; said casting interconnecting said vertical passages: and: said 'exit passages for li y-passing the liquid through, the pump only when the pressurezof theliquid. against eitherend of the piston reachesa predetermined amount, pressure relief valves mounted in am operative relation to said b-y-pass passages of" said, casting, each of said valvestautomatically opening: when the predetermined pressure against either end of the piston has-been: reached to: allow an idle recirculation-of theliquid through the pump in the by-passing manner aforesaid, an electric motor operatively related to said pump; means to deliver electric current toisaid motor to-rotate said motor and pump first in: one direction and. tl'ien-i'n theopposite direction; each ofthe aforesaidchambershaving an: atmospheric vent in its upper portiomanda float valvewithin each chamber to close said vent when the liquid in the chamber rises above apredetermine'd level';.

41 1n: a door operating mechanism ofth'e kind described; aplston cylinder; a piston having a head reciprocating within said cylinder, said: piston-shaving also a rod:connected with a linkage wherebyr a. dooris: operated, circulatory, conduit means arranged to concluctrliquitt into and from oppositeend portions: ofsaid cylinder to' reciprocats: said piston, said; conduit means" including a dual reservoir structure comprising justaposed chambers to contain liquid, a casting underlyin said chambers, there being a vertical passage leading downwardly into said casting from each of said chambers and intersecting with an independent exit passage which leads from opposite sides of said casting, one of said exit passages being in communication with one end of said cylinder and the other exit passage being in communication with the other end portion of said cylinder, a rotary reversely operable pump having an intake and discharge passage in communication with said exit passages, by-pass passages in said casting interconnecting said vertical passages and said exit passages for bypassing the liquid through the pump only when the pressure of the liquid against either end of the piston reaches a predetermined amount, pressure relief valves mounted in an operative relation to said by-pass passages of said casting, each of said valves automatically opening when the predetermined pressure against either end of the piston has been reached to allow an idle recirculation of the liquid through the pump in the by-passing manner aforesaid, an electric motor operatively related to said pump, means to deliver electric current to said motor to rotate said motor and pump first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, said chambers each having a threaded opening in the top wall thereof, a filling cup screwed into each said opening, there being a plurality of semicircular notches formed in the top edge of each cup, thereby providing vent means for each chamber, a valve seat screwed into each cup, a normally open float valve in each of said chambers constructed and arranged to at times oc-' cupy a position on each said seat when the liquid in the chamber reaches a predetermined level, and a loosely fitting cap overlying the mouth go of each cup. 

